imperialism

American  

[im-peer-ee-uh-liz-uhm] / ɪmˈpɪər i əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

2. advocacy of imperial or sovereign interests over the interests of the dependent states.

3. imperial government; rule by an emperor or empress.

4. an imperial system of government.

5. British. the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.

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imperialism British  

/ ɪmˈpɪərɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the policy or practice of extending a state's rule over other territories

2. an instance or policy of aggressive behaviour by one state against another

3. the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, etc, by any person, country, institution, etc

   cultural imperialism

4. a system of imperial government or rule by an emperor

5. the spirit, character, authority, etc, of an empire

6. advocacy of or support for any form of imperialism

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imperialism Cultural  

1. Acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often by force. Colonialism is a form of imperialism.

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Other Word Forms

• imperialist
  noun
• imperialist
  adjective
• imperialistic
  adjective
• imperialistically
  adverb
• nonimperialistic
  adjective
• nonimperialistically
  adverb
• unimperialistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of imperialism

First recorded in 1855–60; imperial ¹ + -ism

Explanation

Imperialism is a type of government that seeks to increase its size, either by forcing (through war) or influencing (through politics) other countries to submit to their rule. The sun never sets on the Roman Empire, or so went the saying when Rome controlled the majority of Europe 2000 years ago. Empire has the same Latin root as imperialism, and the Roman Empire grew to be so vast because they invaded, conquered, and developed everywhere they could. Until Rome fell, that is. Imperialism isn’t always violent, but it’s usually used in a negative sense, so watch for secret agents if you’re talking about your country’s policy of imperialism.

Example Sentences

The “Histories” of Herodotus, likely composed in the mid-fifth-century B.C., recounted the Persian defeat as a paradigm of the perils of reckless imperialism.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Following his answer Monday, Mary Rambaran-Olm, an academic specializing in medieval literature, said "can someone introduce Zohran Mamdani to the writings by his dad on British imperialism?"

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

It was a turn of events that came as welcome news in Nuuk, where signs hang in storefronts and kitchen windows rejecting American imperialism.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

"I was not a supporter of British imperialism, in fact I detested it," Yavar tells me.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

While I abhorred the notion of British imperialism, I never rejected the trappings of British style and manners.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela